MHP Newsfeed & COVID-19 Updates

March 8, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                                              CONTACT: SHELLEY WYANT

                                                                                                                                                                                             McLaren Health Plan

                                                                                                                                                                                             810-730-2201

                                                                                                                                                                                             shelley.wyant@mclaren.org

No Cost Share for COVID-19 Testing and Treatment for McLaren Health Plan

Members Extended Through Sept. 30

Flint, Mich. - McLaren Health Plan announced today it is extending its coverage – with no cost share to members – for services related to COVID-19 through Sept. 30, 2021. This includes receiving the vaccine, virtual visits, testing and treatment.

“It’s important for our members to get the care they need. Their health and safety remain our top priority,” said Nancy Jenkins, president and CEO of McLaren Health Plan.

Staff at the health plan has been contacting members to help them register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine and to schedule preventive care services such as mammograms, well-visits and cancer screenings that may have been delayed due to the pandemic.

“The rigorous demonstration of safety and effectiveness of the vaccine makes us confident in our recommendation to register and get the shot,” said Jenkins. “Doctors and hospitals are taking every precaution to maintain a safe environment for patients, so we encourage our members to get the services necessary to maintain good health.”

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McLaren Health Plan, Inc. (MHP) is a licensed Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) offering health care benefits throughout lower Michigan since 1998. MHP also is the parent organization of McLaren Health Plan Community, a licensed HMO serving commercial groups and individuals, and McLaren Health Advantage, a Third-Party Administrator. Through these organizations, health benefits are provided to more than 290,000 Medicaid, Medicare supplement, commercial and self-funded members.

For seven consecutive years, MHP earned the prestigious Pinnacle Award from the Michigan Association of Health Plans. MHP is accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and is one of the highest ranked Medicaid managed care plans in Michigan (2020 MDHHS Consumer Guide). Learn more at www.mclarenhealthplan.org. 

February 2021

Who is Eligible to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine?

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued guidance as it relates to who is eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Health care workers, those age 65 and older and frontline workers - including first responders, school and child care staff and corrections staff - are being given priority at this time. Please see the following information from MDHHS:

• Vaccination Prioritization Guidance  

  https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/MI_COVID-19_Vaccination_Prioritization_Guidance_710349_7.pdf

• Vaccine FAQs

  https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/COVID-19_Vaccine_Public_FAQ_FINAL_710077_7.pdf

• Information on mRNA vaccines

  https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/2020_MDHHS_COVIDVaccine_Infograph_3.0_710373_7.pdf

• To register to receive the vaccine, go to

   https://www.mclaren.org/main/coronavirus-vaccine

• How a new vaccine is developed, approved and manufactured: 

   https://www.michigan.gov/documents/coronavirus/Vaccine_infographic_v2_710069_7.pdf

Help us Take the Fight to COVID! Flint physicians, pharmacists and community leaders from @McLaren Flint, @McLaren Health Plan, @Ebenezer Ministries, @LatinxTechnology & Community Center and the @City of Flint provide the answers you need to make an informed decision for you and your family about the COVID-19 vaccine. Watch it now! 

It’s here!

The long-awaited COVID-19 vaccine is available in all counties in Michigan, but in limited supply. Here’s who can register, and how.

McLaren Health Plan members, McLaren-affiliated patients age 65 and over:

Go to www.McLaren.org/main/coronavirus-vaccine and click on Vaccine Sign Up.

All others age 65 and older:

Visit www.Michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine to find your local health department to register.

Visit https://clinic.meijer.com/ to register with Meijer.

Please be patient when contacting the sites. Vaccines are currently in limited supply. Not all counties or locations will have the same number of vaccines available. Appointments are being scheduled several weeks in advance. Please do not go to a clinic, health department or pharmacy seeking the vaccine without a confirmed appointment.

The following questions and answers should help you understand how McLaren Health Plan is managing the situation for its members. For the most up-to-date information, go to www.michigan.gov/COVIDVaccine.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                        

CONTACT:  SHELLEY WYANT McLaren Health Plan 810-730-2201                shelley.wyant@mclaren.org

Flint, Mich. – McLaren Health Plan has named Dennis Perry, M.D., MPH, its chief medical officer effective immediately. Dr. Perry replaces Kathleen Kudray, M.D., who has been in the position since 2011.

As CMO, Dr. Perry will provide oversight for the medical- and health service-related functions at the plan, including the Quality Improvement Program and committee, quality management standards and programs and regulatory expectations. Dr. Perry’s role also includes working closely with the utilization and quality management staff, providing support and guidance for clinical quality activities.

Dr. Perry has held leadership positions within the McLaren network since 2013. He was vice chair and chairman of the department of family medicine at McLaren Greater Lansing, medical director for McLaren Hospice and regional medical director for McLaren Physician Partners. Dr. Perry received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Michigan and his medical degree from Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

“We are pleased to have Dr. Perry join us as chief medical officer,” said Nancy Jenkins, president and CEO of McLaren Health Plan. “Our mission is to enhance our members’ health status in the communities we serve, and I’m confident Dr. Perry will help us continue to do so by ensuring we maintain the highest standards of quality, service and care.”

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McLaren Health Plan(MHP), a subsidiary of McLaren Health Care Corp., has been operating as a Michigan-based licensed health maintenance organization (HMO) since 1998 and today delivers health care benefits to more than 260,000 members. The HMO was started to serve Michigan’s Medicaid population and has added group, individual and Medicare products, along with a third-party administrator called Health Advantage Inc. for self-funded employer groups. In 2015, MHP was awarded a contract to service every county in the Lower Peninsula of the state of Michigan – the only provider-owned health plan to achieve this designation by the Michigan Department of Community Health. MHP has earned the prestigious Pinnacle Award every year since 2013 from the Michigan Association of Health Plans and is also accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).

Good oral health is an essential part of staying healthy. Poor oral health can contribute to several chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke. It’s important to get your teeth cleaned at least twice per year. Your dentist will look for gum disease and mouth and throat cancers and you can tell him or her about any tooth or face pain you might be having. 

You should take your children age 2 and older to the dentist twice per year, too. They need to establish a relationship with a dentist and learn good brushing and flossing habits. If you’re a Healthy Michigan Plan member, you have free coverage through Delta Dental. Go to www.deltadentalmi.com for details.

If you put off going to the dentist due to the pandemic, now is the time to make an appointment. Dental offices have added steps to sanitize and clean during and after each visit for your protection due to COVID-19. You can feel confident that a visit to the dentist is safe for you and your family. 

Call Customer Service at 888-327-0671 (TTY: 711) if you don’t have a dentist or have questions.